Pokémon Ranger (Japanese: ポケモンレンジャーPokémon Ranger) is an action-adventure game for the Nintendo DS developed jointly by Creatures, Inc. and HAL Laboratory, Inc.. It was released on March 23, 2006 in Japan, on October 30, 2006 in North America, on December 7, 2006 in Australia and on April 13, 2007 in Europe.

Players can makes use of Pokémon's various capabilities to help them on their adventures but only once; after using them, the Pokémon leave the party. The only exception to this is the character's partner Pokémon.

Poké Assists are abilities that, when used, give the Capture Styler extra power from a Pokémon, ranging from immobilizing Pokémon to strengthening the Capture Styler. Being based on the seventeen types, Poké Assists can be used effectively on Pokémon weak to certain types. There are, however, no Normal, Dragon, and Steel Poké Assists, and the Discharge Poké Assist remains exclusive to the player's partner.

Field Moves are used mainly to get by obstacles players come across, and they are comparable to HMs. Certain obstacles may be tougher than others, requiring players to make use of stronger Field Moves; most Field Moves have three levels of power. Unlike Poké Assists, not all Pokémon have Field Moves.

The Fiore Browser is built into the Capture Styler and acts like the Pokédex in the game, listing the 213 Pokémon native to the region. Its consists of Pokémon up to Generation III, and it lists various information, including the Pokémon's Poké Assist and Field Move.

Ranger Net is unlocked by pressing R + X + Left after finishing the game. In the Japanese version, the Ranger Net missions could only be downloaded after pre-ordering a ticket for the ninth movie. Ranger Net provides players post-game missions that feature the legendary PokémonDeoxys, Celebi, and Mew.

By using region-specific codes, players can unlock a mission that will allow the transfer of a ManaphyEgg to Generation IV games using their Mystery Gift feature. Because it is impossible to reset Ranger Net, there can only be one Manaphy Egg per copy of the Pokémon Ranger game.

Plot

The game begins with the player getting off of the boat in Fall City. The player then meets Spenser, the Leader of the Ringtown Base. Suddenly, the two hear commotion and find a Houndoom terrorizing a Minun/Plusle (depending on the player's gender). To help calm the Pokémon, Spenser gives the player a styler and demonstrates how to use it. After the player successfully captures and calms down the Minun/Plusle, Spenser makes the player a full-fledged ranger and flies him, the player, and the stowaway Minun/Plusle to Ringtown on his Fearow.

After the player captures Kyogre and Groudon, there is a final mission where the Go-Rock Squad has returned and has angered Rayquaza. If the player is able to overcome the challenge of capturing Rayquaza, then the player has completed the main game.

Blurb

CAPTURE ON!With the help of Pokémon, set out on a fun-filled adventure! You play as a Pokémon Ranger in the Fiore region, working to preserve nature and to protect Pokémon!

Characters

Rangers

Ringtown

Spenser and Fearow: Spenser is the leader of the Ringtown ranger base. He makes the hero a Pokémon Ranger. He was on the same ranger team as Joel, Cameron, and Elita when he was younger. His partner is his Fearow.

Murph and Slowpoke: Murph is rather slow, but often says funny things. Sometimes he even makes up his own missions. His partner is his Slowpoke.

Lunick/Solana: Lunick and Solana are the other two rangers that occupy the Ringtown base. The player takes control of one of them, according to their chosen gender; the other one becomes the player's friend.

Fall City

Joel and Dodrio: Joel is the leader of the Fall City ranger base. He and Spenser were once fierce rivals, but they now share a close bond. His partner is his Dodrio.

Aria: Aria is a little self-absorbed at the beginning, but she starts to respect the hero later on.

Professor Hastings: He is the leader of the Ranger Union and creator of the Capture Styler and Super Styler.

Summerland

Cameron and Pelipper: Cameron is the leader of the Summerland ranger base. He trains at the sea capture challenge. His score is the default high score for the sea capture challenge. His partner is his Pelipper.

Percy and Politoed: Percy's partner Pokémon is stolen by the Go-Rock Squad earlier in the game, and the hero has to rescue it. He sees a Mew in the Ranger Net Mission "Find Mew, the Mirage!". His partner is his Politoed.

Wintown

Elita and Skarmory: Elita is the leader of the Wintown ranger base. She is known for being as cold as steel. Her partner is her Skarmory.

Chris: Commonly known as "Silent Chris", he doesn't talk much except for during special mission 3, when he sees Rayquaza and is awestruck.

The Go-Rock Squad: The main criminal team of all of this. Their aim is to replace the rangers by capturing the legendary Pokémon Raikou, Suicune, and Entei with an adaptation of Prof. Hastings' prototype Super Styler.

Others

Reception

Pokémon Ranger received mixed reviews from the press. The game was praised for its innovation[5] and lengthy main quest,[6] however the repetitive nature of the gameplay was criticized, with NGamer UK commenting that it was "narrow-minded and frustrating".[7] The lack of challenge the game provided was also criticized, Nintendo Power stated that "Pokémon veterans will breeze through the comparatively light challenge Ranger provides". The game received an average rating of 69% on Metacritic.

Staff

Trivia

Prior to its release, the game was often known as Pokémon Ranger: The Road to Diamond and Pearl (Japanese: ポケモンレンジャー ダイヤモンド・パールへの道).

After the game, the player will face Groudon and Kyogre, who have recently engaged in battle somewhere. This may be a reference to Pokémon Emerald, in which the duo face off in the climax of the story. However, Hoenn is not referenced in this regard, and it is not expressly stated that Kyogre and Groudon originated from another region.